Help Hal Puder Stand Up To Cancer

Hal Puder isn’t one to seek help; he loves to give and help others. We have come to this platform to humbly seek support.

Hal is now in the most challenging health scenario he’s had to overcome in his 67 years - Stage 4 melanoma that has metastasized to his brain.

If you don’t already know Hal and Deb, you may know their beloved store The Tickle Trunk Balloon/Party Store & TTM Events. In their over 30 years of business in Kelowna, BC they’ve had the opportunity to do so much good within the community. Whether it be donning a Santa suit for the food bank, an Easter Bunny delivering food & goodies, providing and setting up decor for many memorable events; they have always done this with great joy.

They have even helped with the Heart of Gold event to raise money to finish the Hospice House where Hal’s father was cared for. Hal has been an active member of the Kelowna chapter of Chrones &Colitis Canada, helping with fundraising, decor and organizing the annual Gutsy Walk.

Hal has had a long road to get to this point. In 2019 he was diagnosed with melanoma and underwent surgery. He did a year of immunotherapy through KGH which ended up with scans showing no evidence of disease.

This was great news! He made the most of this and tried to stay healthy and positive. He put all his energy into his family, friends, business and his faith which is very important to him.

The stress of the pandemic years and all that comes with many business moves has taken it’s toll on Hal. In November of 2023, Hal had strange symptoms show up such as double vision, which led to a CT scan showing cancer in his lungs and liver. This is when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 melanoma. He again started immunotherapy at a higher potency. During this time Hal was unable to work.

After a major reaction to the immunotherapy in January 2024, Hal was hospitalized. We thought we’d lose him. He lost 45lbs and muscle mass he couldn’t afford to lose.

Being Hal, someone with so much fight left in him, he started to slowly put on weight and start the recovery process. He was put back on immunotherapy which led to neurological symptoms. An MRI showed the melanoma had metastasized to his brain. Radiation was started at the recommendation of his medical team. This decision was not taken lightly.

At this time, all conventional medical treatments have been exhausted. We are not ready to say goodbye to this amazing husband, father, grandfather and friend. There is the possibility to heal!

Being business owners, Hal and Deb cannot get EI. Deb hasn’t had her righthand man and is struggling to keep their lives afloat. Deb wants to spend the time she has with Hal, helping him fight this battle.

There are many alternative medications and treatments that are not covered by our medical system that Hal and Deb are ready to explore. They don’t have the luxury of time on their side or the significant funds this will take. This is why we humbly ask for your support to help relieve the financial burden that comes from Hal being unable to work. If you cannot donate, please consider sharing their story far and wide.

Hal still has so much fight and faith. He’s not done doing so much good and spreading so much positivity. Please help us help Hal stand up to cancer and begin to heal his body and mind.